Dillon's Small Batch Distillers: History, Whisky Range and Visitor Guide
Updated: 19 hours ago
Dillon's Small Batch Distillers in Niagara is known for small-batch gin, spirits and genuine rye whisky made from Ontario grain. Its whisky uses a 100% rye mash bill and several forms of oak, which makes it distinct from lighter Canadian rye blends.
In this guide
Summarise with AI
Dillon's Small Batch Distillers at a glance
Distillery fact | Details |
|---|---|
Location | 4833 Tufford Road, Lincoln, Niagara |
Country | Canada |
Region | Ontario |
Founded | Founded in the 2010s; whisky matured for over four years |
People | Geoff Dillon, master distiller and founder |
Reference whisky | Dillon's Rye Whisky Three Oaks |
Share your Dillon's Small Batch Distillers experience
Four reader poll questions help us understand what you would like to see from the distillery.
Take the Dillon reader quiz: 4 quick questions
Answer four quick questions to see real reader percentages. No account or email is required.
The history of Dillon's Small Batch Distillers
Geoff Dillon established a craft distillery in Niagara with a goal of producing spirits from locally sourced ingredients. The operation grew through gin, bitters, fruit spirits and subsequently rye whisky matured on the property.
Its rye programme became mature enough for a regular four-year-old bottle. The company also issued very small cask-strength single barrels, including a ten-year-old Cherry Head Rye 1 whisky in 2026.
Owners and founders
Geoff Dillon, master distiller and founder. Current status and ownership can differ from the founding story, as noted where appropriate.
Grains, distillation and maturation
Dillon's 100% rye whisky is made from Ontario-grown rye without corn, barley or wheat in the mash bill. It is fermented, pot-distilled and aged for four years in new Ontario oak, new American oak and first-fill bourbon barrels.
The producer states no added colouring or flavouring and bottles the core Three Oaks rye whisky at 43% ABV. The limited 2026 Cherry Head Rye 1 is from cask 262, aged 114 months and bottled at 51.4% ABV.
Dillon's Small Batch Distillers whisky range
Below are genuine released whisky expressions. Historic bottles and batch-specific strengths should be checked before ordering. No Whisky Clan tasting has been carried out for this research guide.
Dillon's Rye Whisky Three Oaks
43% ABV Canadian rye whisky matured four years in three oak regimes.
Dillon's Cherry Head Rye 1 (2026)
Limited 51.4% ABV single cask rye, aged 114 months, 330 bottles.
Dillon's Rye 1
A separate limited cask-strength release aged about ten years.
Pictured: Dillon's Rye Whisky Three Oaks. This is a real producer bottle, rather than a stock illustration.
Awards and key milestones
The producer records San Francisco World Spirits Competition silver in 2023 and 2025 for its regular rye whisky, alongside a 2022 Whiskies of the World silver.
Visiting Dillon's Small Batch Distillers
Dillon's distillery at 4833 Tufford Road in Lincoln is open daily, with tours and tastings in the sipping room. The current listed hours are 11am to 6pm.
Visitor sessions, opening days and availability can change. Check with the actual operator before travel.
Explore more whisky producers
Read our Glenfiddich guide for a comparison with traditional Scotch malt production.
Explore more Whisky Clan distilleries
Allan's Mill & Distillery — Ontario
Canadian Mist Distillery — Ontario
Dixon's Distilled Spirits — Ontario
Forty Creek Distillery — Ontario
Help us improve this guide
Add any verified correction or new bottle release through the form below. Newsletter signup is optional.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Dillon's Small Batch Distillers?
4833 Tufford Road, Lincoln, Niagara
When did it begin?
Founded in the 2010s; whisky matured for over four years
What is the reference whisky?
Dillon's Rye Whisky Three Oaks. The article above covers other releases.
Can I visit?
Dillon's distillery at 4833 Tufford Road in Lincoln is open daily, with tours and tastings in the sipping room. The current listed hours are 11am to 6pm.
Sources and image credits
Research checked 23 October 2026. Outbound links are listed at the bottom after the article.
About the author
Whisky Clan researches whisky producers and bottle releases and welcomes corrections with reliable sources.
Comments